Our Staff

Rev. Jin has been the pastor at St. Matthews since 2023. Born and raised in South Korea, Rev. Jin moved to the Philippines as a teenager, where he witnessed his missionary parents’ dedication and developed a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and ministry. He holds an M.Div. from the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta (part of the Interdenominational Theological Center), an M.A. in Christian Education from Columbia Theological Seminary, and a Master’s in Theological Studies with a focus on the New Testament. Inspired by Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph—who left their homes, grew in faith, witnessed God’s presence with them, and guided others in spiritual growth, including themselves—Rev. Jin seeks to journey with others in deepening their faith in Jesus Christ together.

Henry Seymour was born on November 11th, 1957 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, his mother’s home state. He was the third child of Worth and Jean Seymour, with an older sister, Sally and older brother, Michael. He grew up with a keen awareness of how the death of his older sister from a sudden onset of influenza at just 4 years old impacted his parents and older brother. Within his first six weeks of life, his family moved to Pittsburgh for his father’s work. He was baptized and raised in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Sewickley. Henry feels very blessed by his early education at Sewickley Academy, Quaker Valley Junior High School and Pittsburgh Academy, an open high school. His older brother, Michael, who had hitchhiked around the United States and explored books by Edgar Cayce and other writers on the popular subjects of the day on extra sensory perception, reincarnation and astral travel, strongly influenced Henry. Henry was introduced to the recreational use of marijuana and LSD in his early teens through Mike’s endorsement of the hippie lifestyle. Later, through good friends of Mike, he was introduced to the form of Hinduism made popular by the Hare Krsna movement. Although only involved with this religion for about a year and a half, he recognized the impact this experience had on his life for many years to come. Henry reaffirmed his Christian faith at age 18 while in a high school Bible study run by Bob Shephard, the youth minister at St. Stephen’s at the time. Michael had become a Christian before Henry and the two brothers would argue vehemently about Hinduism and Christianity during the 2 - 3 year period before Henry reaffirmed his faith. A keen interest in classical music was instilled in him by his mother and in early jazz by his father. Both parents were lavish in their support of this budding interest. Having applied to and been accepted at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, Henry declined to attend this wonderful school at 16 due to his growing commitment to the Hare Krsna movement, a choice he later deeply regretted. Returning to Sewickley Academy for high school and having to repeat the 11th grade after quitting school at Pittsburgh Academy, he became involved in acting in school plays and maintained this interest while working towards an Associate’s Degree in Speech and Theater at the Community College of Allegheny County during the fall after high school graduation in 1976. He did not complete this degree until 11 years later. In the meantime, Henry became a jazz studies major at the University of North Texas, earning credits towards a bachelor’s degree, passing the music theory barrier exam in the spring of 1983. The next 4 years (following his return from Texas to Pittsburgh in the summer of ‘84 - fall of ‘88) were to prove some of his most challenging. Henry confronted the bad habits cultivated in his younger years by joining Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous in the summer and fall of ‘87. This proved to be a blessed choice. He then completed his long cherished goal of completing a bachelor’s degree in music after completing his associate’s degree at CCAC, graduating from Duquesne University as a classical piano performance major in May of 1991. His musical analysis professor at Duquesne, Dr. Robert Shankovich and his fellow music professor and wife, Carolyn, encouraged Henry to audition as a cantor at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Through this support and influence along with that of his late maternal great aunt, Sister Rosalia of Duluth, Minnesota, he joined the Roman Catholic Church in late March of 1991. In August of 1991 he joined a wedding band, Flex. With fellow band member, tenor saxophonist Al Morrison, he worked to form a piano/sax jazz duo to earn some extra money. Lisa Baker, whom Henry had known only slightly while in high school at Sewickley Academy, sat in on their rehearsals, later auditioning and getting hired as lead female vocalist in Flex. In May of 1993 Lisa and Henry were married at Trinity Lutheran, also on Pittsburgh’s North Side, and together they raised two beautiful sons, Henry and Andrew. Earning a living at music proved challenging and Henry completed a Master’s Degree in elementary education with additional certification in special ed between ‘97 and 2000, later becoming a teaching assistant at North Hills High School, an extended day to day sub for Pittsburgh Public Schools and a therapeutic support staff for Family Behavioral Resources. Since December of 2014 he has worked as an income maintenance caseworker for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. After having worked for 14 years as music minister at St. Mary of the Mount Roman Catholic Church in Mt. Washington between 1994 and 2008, Henry then played at Blackburn United Methodist Church in Sewickley Heights between 2011 and 2013. Following several subbing assignments for the previous organist Henry was hired as full time organist at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in December of 2015 and will be celebrating his 10th anniversary this year.

Sharon has been the secretary of St. Matthew's since 2018 after retiring from her career as a speech pathologist. She and her husband have been long-time members of St. Matthew's and enjoy being involved in the church's life. They have 2 daughters, a new grandson and 2 grandcats. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys volunteering for the Next Chapter Book Club, rooting for the Pittsburgh Pirates, attending concerts and spending time with her family.